Hello friends, I hope you are all enjoying your weekends. This is my first weekend off from work in what seems like months. Alas, there is no rest for the wicked though as I took the weekend off to study.
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Although since it’s the weekend I have been taking a more relaxed approach to my revision than usual. Think pajamas, lots of warm tea, sofa and a duvet…definitely my kind of revision!
In fact with all of this revision I have been taking some time out to indulge myself a little from time to time. On Friday night me and Alfie went out for a date night. We found a lovely brasserie restaurant in the city and had the most delicious meal.
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Lobster soup followed by a venison steak cooked in red wine, beetroot and blackberry sauce with parsnip crisps. For dessert we shared a pear crumble with vanilla ice cream.
I’ve never had venison before let alone a steak so this was quite a treat for me. I couldn’t eat it all though as it was quite a big chink of meat, so I had to give some to Alfie. This was honestly one of the best meals that we have had in a long time!
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Yesterday morning I went back to the gym!! I signed up on Friday morning and couldn’t wait to get back into gym workouts again. The gym is small as it’s a hotel gym but it has everything I need and comes within budget too. It feels so good to be a gym member again!
This week I have been totally taking advantage of Pancake day by making 3 lots of pancakes this week:
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Paleo friendly banana pancakes with Greek yoghurt, honey and peanut butter//Big fluffy American style pancakes with peanut butter in between, one layer filled with Nutella and banana and warm frozen berries//Chocolate Protein Pancakes with Chocolate and Almond Protein Frosting.
As incredibly delicious all of these pancakes are I couldn’t just eat pancakes all week…or maybe I could, hmmm! Other meals from this week include:
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Spinach salad with grated carrot, avocado courgettes, almonds and Sabra hummus//Carrot cake green smoothie with granola and super berry mix//Frozen mango and mixed berries with walnuts, almonds, Greek yoghurt and honey//Sweet chilli Ryvita crackers topped with butter and organic tomatoes and endive leaves with cottage cheese.
![IMG_5377[1]](https://drjemma.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_53771.jpg "IMG_5377[1]")
Dates dipped in almond butter//Beef stew with roasted Brussel spouts and squash in coconut oil//Chocolate and peanut butter smoothie//Roasted jerk chicken breast with steamed red pepper and broccoli and gravy.
![IMG_5227[1]](https://drjemma.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_52271.jpg "IMG_5227[1]")
Of course no week would be complete without chocolate and red wine. I had this last Sunday whilst watching movies with Alfie…perfect!
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Loved the Annie Sloan shop for lots of upcycling fun!
Despite my revision it has been a pretty fabulous week. I’ve even been thinking about what I’m going to do after my revision and have some upcycling projects which I cannot wait to get started on. We visited the Annie Sloan paint shop to by some chalk paint supplies earlier in the week and I’m feeling very inspired!
Have you been on a date night recently?
Are you into upcycling or home décor projects?
I bet it must feel good to get back to the gym! Your pancakes look very tasty and your version of revision sounds good to me!
I love date nights, we try and go out once a week. That green smoothie looks so thick and delicious! I had pancakes twice this week too, need to make them more regularly.
@Lauren I think pancakes are such a great breakfast. I’m definitely in the pancake making mood at the moment.
Oh wow that meal at the restaurant looks very good. I don’t think I’ve had venison either to be honest! I hear it’s very gamey? And nothing beats Lindt dark chocolate, so good. I need to try the strawberry.
@Anna Venison is quite gamey and has quite a strong taste. I loved it though!
All your eats look so yummy! I love that you took time to relax and enjoy that chocolate and wine. I’m craving chocolate, but always feel unsatisfied when I’m left nibling on the poor quality stuff we have around the house. This just leads to binging 🙁 You’ve inspired me to buy myself a good bar of chocolate to enjoy!No date nights for me lately, but I have been painting, just a small project, one of those “button trees” that have been all over Pinterest.
@Monica I think buying good quality chocolate is definitely worth it, especially if you are treating yourself. 🙂
Now that sounds like my kinda revision weekend! When I was studying for my finals, every Sunday mum and I would walk a few miles and end up in a tearoom for cake and chats 🙂 made everything feel better!
@Emma Having some time out for treats can really help with the revision stress. It’s so sweet that you went to tearooms with your mum.
Love relaxing weekends too. Though I do try to make one of the two days memorable.
I love projects. I did chalk paint in the kitchen of my former house.
@Julie I cannot wait to get started on the DIY projects. I think it’s going to be fun.
Your date night food looks so good! x
@Lily It was quite the treat and tasted fantastic!
Strawberry intense choc looks delicious!
Venison is one of my favourite meats; I wish I could have it more often.
Fingers crossed I’ve a date night tomorrow to see Wreck it Ralph. We’ve been together 10 years so we try to ‘date’ every now and again. it’s fun 🙂
I love the idea of upcycling and becoming more self sufficient, but so far I haven’t done all that well at it. I like buying junk too much 😛
Jamie @ The Zombie Fitness Blog